Fly Fishing Houston & Southeastern Texas - (Local Angler) by Robert H McConnell (Paperback)

About the Book

"The fourth-largest city in the U.S. has a secret hiding in plain sight: All that water means it's a fabulous place for fly fishing. Travel no further than to the city's "concrete flats" to stalk carp with Houston's iconic skyline as a backdrop. Just outside the metro area, wade in the secluded spring-fed waters of the Pineywoods to find spotted bass, largemouth bass, and a variety of panfish. Launch a canoe or kayak in nearby lakes and backwaters to search for gar and bowfin. Add some adventure with a trip to Village Creek, a fascinating biozone where bass and catfish thrive along with four varieties of carnivorous plants and 35 species of orchids. With Fly Fishing Houston & Southeastern Texas as your guide, discover the rewards for anglers this unique region offers, from inside the city limits to the countryside beyond"--

Book Synopsis

Bayou City: An Angler's Paradise

Houston has a secret hiding in plain sight: all that water makes America's fourth-largest city an unexpected paradise for fly fishing. From urban bayous and secluded forest streams to quiet lakes and backwaters, southeastern Texas offers remarkable opportunities for adventurous anglers.

Stalk carp along Houston's famous "concrete flats," with the city's iconic skyline as your backdrop. Just beyond the metropolitan area, wade into the spring-fed waters of the Pineywoods in search of spotted bass, largemouth bass, and panfish. Explore nearby lakes and backwaters by canoe or kayak, casting for gar and bowfin. For an entirely different experience, venture to Village Creek, a fascinating ecosystem where bass and catfish share their habitat with four varieties of carnivorous plants and 35 species of orchids.

Whether you're an experienced fly fisher or just discovering the sport, Fly Fishing Houston & Southeastern Texas reveals the remarkable angling opportunities waiting to be explored, from the heart of the city to the wild waterways beyond.

Inside this comprehensive guide:

• 38 detailed descriptions of fishing wades along 12 distinct streams and waterways
• Access information for canoeing and kayaking on local lakes and backwaters
• Suggestions for assembling fly boxes tailored to southeastern Texas waters
• More than 300 color photographs, including close-ups of the region's key sport fish
• QR codes linking to GPS coordinates for convenient parking at each wade location
• Recommendations for essential fly-fishing gear
• Local fly shops and angler-friendly breweries
• Regional history, fishing information, and events
• Insider techniques for approaching wary fish
• An overview of regional water-use regulations and ways anglers can help preserve public access to streams, creeks, bayous, and other waterways

Silver Medalist, Outdoor Adventure Guides, 2023 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA)

Review Quotes

"This fine guide includes everything you need to find these forgotten streams: maps and descriptions, helpful information on fly patterns, behavior characteristics of the fish, QR codes showing the best place to park, and GPS coordinates for legal access points. Everything you'll need for an hour, an afternoon--or a full day of fly fishing fun." --Ron Watters, National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA)

"The essential source on freshwater angling in Southeastern Texas, complete with handy maps, captivating photographs, and enough savvy insider tips to ensure a place in your dry bag for years to come." --Wes Ferguson, former Senior Editor, Texas Monthly

"Love all the waters/species included as well as the local fly guys." --Danny Scarborough, Houston Fly Fishing Guide Services

"Fly Fishing Houston & Southeastern Texas is an essential resource to anyone who intends to fly fish the greater Houston area. From local, urban fisheries to remote destinations buried in nearby National Forest, this book covers it all." --Chris Johnson, Owner, Living Waters Fly Fishing

"With detailed descriptions of access points, wading trips, ideal flow and discharge rates for each creek, and fascinating notes about the biology and ecology of Houston's local species, Fly Fishing Houston is an invaluable resource." --Travis Richards, Fisheries Biologist, Texas A&M University at Galveston

"With this book and a sense of adventure, any 'creek freak' fly fisher willing to step over copperheads and wade mysterious waters can tie into some of the most exciting freshwater fly fishing Texas has to offer. This guidebook should find its way into the glove compartment of every fly fisher who wanders the woods and waters of southeast Texas. With it, they're almost certainly within reach of fishable water in some of the most surprising places." --Chris Hunt, journalist and author of Catching Yellowstone's Wild Trout: A Fly Fishing History and Guide

"A sumptuous feast of angling opportunities featuring an incredible diversity of waterways and species for our consumption. Exhaustively researched, Fly Fishing Houston & Southeastern Texas reveals where and how to pursue 'lunker' largemouth bass in sprawling lakes, massive carp from urban concrete canyons, and gorgeously-colored longear sunfish from remote Pineywoods streams. This is a fun, informative read and an invaluable resource." --Terry & Roxanne Wilson, authors of The Bluegill Diaries: A Fly Fishing Chronicle, Largemouth Bass Fishing, Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing, Crappie Fly-Fishing, and Bluegill Fly Fishing & Flies

"Robert has taken the guesswork out of fishing our local waters, telling you how to prepare, where to go, and what to bring." --Don C. Puckett, President, Texas FlyFishers.org

"What a wonderful resource! Robert has described, mapped and critiqued so many accessible areas in and around Houston that have been overlooked in the past. Getting to know him while we worked together was a real pleasure. Anyone who wants to learn about this area, must have this book!" --Mark Marmon, MetroAnglers.com

About the Author

Robert H. McConnell is the author of Fly Fishing Houston & Southeastern Texas and Fly Fishing the Sam: A Guidebook to Exploring the Creeks, Rivers, and Bayous of Sam Houston National Forest. An avid angler and outdoor enthusiast, McConnell has devoted years to exploring the rivers, creeks, bayous, and lesser-known fishing waters of East and Southeast Texas.

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, McConnell developed an early appreciation for fishing and the natural world while exploring the wooded foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. His interest in the outdoors led him to study geology, a discipline that encouraged his fascination with landscapes and provided opportunities for extensive field exploration.

After relocating to Houston in 2014, McConnell immersed himself in the region's diverse waterways, developing firsthand knowledge of its fishing opportunities and natural environments. His guidebooks reflect a commitment to discovering accessible fishing destinations and sharing practical insights with fellow anglers. He lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, Ellen.